Impressive winter cruising

[Quandary]

Looking at the AIS on my laptop during the often cold and windy weather around Christmas, I could see only one sailing yacht actually out and under way, Xena, near the Faeroes on her way south from Reykjavik with a destination of Oban, since then she has been making steady progress further south, yesterday in Craighouse on Jura, today in Carrickfergus, what impressed me was the speed of her passage and the distance she is covering. I presume she is headed for warmer climes.

 

[[2574]]

Yes I tracked her as well but admit I was rather pleased that I was sat in front of the wood burner in Devon as she made Christmas progress to the south…….yep, I’m a southern softies armchair sailor - though we’re bound up to the Clyde next week to get on with some winter boat jobs, not long now until we’ll be heading north and west from the Clyde.

 

[westhinder]

Icelanders, apparently. A Maxi, judging by the pictures, so not one of those comfy pilothouse expedition yachts. Respect.

 

[dunedin]

Delivery crew ?

 

[Bajansailor]

Is she this Xena?
Ship XENA (Pleasure Craft) Registered in Iceland - Vessel details, Current position and Voyage information - IMO 0, MMSI 251851110, Call Sign 2598

If so, she looks well set up for long distance sailing, including a Hydrovane and good storm sails - but not much protection really for the cockpit in high latitudes.

 

[Quandary]

That's her, From Carrick she went up into Belfast for a week but last night she was under way again, this morning I found her tucked up in Dun Laoghaire, she should soon be seeing temps. above zero when she is doing her night passages.